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I-' I-' ~ CD .1 tb{i~J Replies to Comments Made by the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. (Letter of May 13, 1976) 1.' Comment: We are concerned. however. that there is generally little discussion of cooperative USDA activities for improving on-farm irrigation systems and management or improving watershed conditions in the basin to help reduce salt loading. USDA is participating in numer- ous studies which include irrigation salt source areas. OUr quarterly and annual reports to the Bureau reflect these cooperative activities. When fully implemented. USDA assistance will improve irrigation effi- ciency. reduce watershed erosion. and reduce the salt load to the river. Therefore. we suggest that the final statement be a joint USDA-USDI-EPA statement or that a USDA supplement be prepared. ~ePlY: Additional discussion of USDA activities dealing with onfarm rrigation systems improvements and watershed management will be pro- vided in the final statement. Moreover. the Final will be coauthored with the Soil Conservation Service to insure full discussion of all USDA onfarm activities in the Basin. 2. Comment: Within the Grand Valley unit. the draft EIS projects an increase in irrigation efficiency from 33 percent to 60 percent result- ing from the Bureau's Irrigation Management Services. We feel this is unlikely. Soil Conservation Service field evaluations in this area indicate that overall efficiencies of 60 percent will be very diffi- cult to obtain. even with improved on-farm systems, with current tech- nology and the expected level of participation by irrigators. Reply: The Bureau of Reclamation believes it is possible to get 60 percent or better efficiency if IMS and WSI programs are strictly adhered to with full cooperation of the water users. This has been indicated in small, highly controlled areas. On an overall project basis, without strict adherence and only partial participation, this high efficiency cannot be obtained. From a standpoint of expecting full cooperation and strict adherence, the high efficiency will be difficult to obtain but every effort will be made to attain this goal. See additional discussion in chapter II, Grand Valley Unit - section D.2.b. [4], On farm Irrigation Systems and Management Improvement. ~~:~) ...."'-- ~~~k) .;-{;;..- 14